General obesity and Cardiovascular diseases among Gaur Brahmin population of NCR/Delhi.

AIMS: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among human beings. The presence of endemic Cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors differ from population to population. The Cardiovascular diseases associated risk factors are sub-categorised into two forms, one is traditional and the other is non-traditional risk factors. The present study shows the prevalence of both risk factors and its association with Cardiovascular diseases, especially with reference to general obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study includes a total of 506 Gaur Brahmins residing in Delhi and National Capital Region India. Household survey was conducted and data were collected by using pre-tested interview schedule. Somatometric measurements were taken following the international standard techniques. Approx 5 ml blood was collected from each individual unrelated up to the first cousion. The serum was used to analyse the lipid profiles and fasting glucose level. All necessary statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and MS Excel. The ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Committee of the Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, Delhi. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The mean value of Somatometric variables such as Body Mass Index, Waist circumference and Waist-hip ratio and physiological variables DBP and SBP (diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure) were found to be higher than their respective ranges in the studied population. General obesity, though found to be less common in this population as compared to abdominal obesity, but it is found to be contributing to dyslipidemia.

Acquired body marks: A mode of identification in Forensics.

Each individual regardless of sex, age and caste has a particular identification mark present on their body. This study is mainly an attempt to understand the distribution pattern of different types of acquired body marks present on the body which can be used as a marker for individual identification in Forensics. Data was collected by means of observation, interview schedule and interviews from 160 individuals of 6 multi-caste villages of Udaipur in Rajasthan, India. A wide variation was observed in the distribution patterns of various acquired body marks. Scars were the most prevalent (87.5%) followed by body piercing (66%), occupational marks (38.5%), tattoo marks (27.5%) and body deformity (5%). There is a strong association between sex of an individual and presence of tattoo and occupational marks. Type of occupation is associated with the presence of scar and occupational marks. Age also has its influence on the presence and type of - tattoo and occupational marks. This wide variation in the distribution of acquired body marks based on sex, age, educational status, occupation, religion etc. of an individual need to be considered and included as a method of identification of unknown in Forensic Science.